Corset.



UNITED STATES.

Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,534, `dated May 23, 1905.

Application filed April l0, 1903. Serial No. 151,982.

ments in Corsets; and I do hereby declare the s following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a combined corset and bust-supporter, and has forits object the provision of means adapted to be worn in place of and as a substitute for corsets and operating to form a support for the bust of the wearer, tending to expand the chest and hold the shoulders erect and at the same time permitting perfect freedom of movement and insuring comfort and easeV whether in an erect, stooping, or recumbent position. Furthermore, my combined corset and bust-supporter obviates the objectionable features common to the ordinary corset in that the heart, lungs, and other organs and muscles are allowed unrestricted play and not confined under .compression.

To this end my invention consists in the particular features and construction hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingV a part of the specification, wherein,

Figure 1 is a view of my improved device extended; and Figs. 2 and if) are front and back views, respectively, of the device as worn.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, reference-letters a a represent counterpart broad fiat front portions made of suitable fabric and adapted to be secured together when being worn by means of buttons, hooks, pins, or other usual means. Each of these front portions has inserted therein hemispherical pockets having their lower border or periphery reinforced lby means of strips of featherbone c o', while the upper periphery is bounded by an unstiifened seam or hem al cl When secured together, the two front portions or pocket-pieces with the contained pockets form a broad band' extending across the front of the wearer in such position as to receive and support the breasts.

The two outer edges of the front portions a a are connected at their lower corners by a band e and at their upper corners by a band f, the former adapted to pass around the wearer above the waist-line and the latter to pass across the back just below the shoulders,

'the two bands e and f being joined by a vertical band g. The upper portion of the pockets, are connected by means of branching bands /L la', passing over the shoulders, with the band f, the bands l1, /L forming with the band fan opening'through which the arm is passed.

The proportionate length of the various bands and the point of connection between the same will within certain limits vary with the individual wearer, the object being in all cases to secure the front portion of the device in such manner as to most effectively support the breasts in their normal and natural position and obviate any shifting of the bands, whereby the same will be liable to slip from the shoulders or assume a position to discommode the wearer. It will be obvious also that while I have shown the bands as inelastic material without adjusting means the same may be formed of elastic webbing in whole or in part and may, if desired, be provided with adjusting buckles or slides, although it has been found preferable to manufacture the de.- vice in different sizes to suit different persons rather than idepend upon adjustment by means which are liable to become loose and to be unsatisfactory from various causes.

It will be seen from the foregoing description and drawings that my device is admirably calculated to perform the functions for which it is intended-namely the preservation of the developed natural form without the undesirable and injurious results attending the wearing of ordinary corsets, which serve to destroy rather than to' preservethe natural lines of the figure. The lower outline border of the pockets is flexible and serves as a foundation for the support of the breasts, while the surface of the pockets covering the breasts contain no stiffening means which would be liable to compress and injure the same. The device is cool and comfortable under all conditions and suited alike to the laboring woman and the person of leisure. It is light, hygienic, and cleanly, and consists wholly of material which may be washed without injury. The device permits perfect freedom of the vital organs and muscles, thus conducing to the comfort, ease, health, and beauty of the wearer.

I/Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is A i 1. In a device of the character described, pocket-pieces having an unstifi'ened body portion bound below by a curved stay and above by an unstiened edging, a band passing' from each of the pocket-pieces over the shoulders, a band passing from the upper portion of each of the pocket-pieces under the arms and connecting with the first-named bands and with the corresponding band from the other pocketpiece, a band connecting the lower outer corner of one pocket-piece behind the back with the corresponding corner of the other pocketpiece, and avertical band connecting the two last-named bands.

2. In a device of the character described, pocketepieces having an unstii'liened body portion having inserted in the lower portion astay of feathcrbone corresponding to the curve of the breast and the upper portion supported by an unstiiiened edging` a band passing from each of said pocket-pieces over the shoulders, a

band passing from the upper outer corner of each of the pocket-pieces under the arlns and connecting with the iirst-nanied bands and with the corresponding band from the other poeketpiece, a band connecting the lower outer corner of one pocket-piece with the corresponding corner of the other pocket-piece, and a vertical band connecting the two lastnamed bands.

In testimony whereof lA allix 1n y signature to this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FLORA VIRGINIA SLONSKY.

IVitnesseS:

IV. D. MENKEN, JAcon G. GonnN. 

